orangetoughguy | log post II

All it really takes are the polls, bait, hooks and time. [One finger is devoted to each element until the old man holds up four.] I'd be glad to show you.

[And when it's the two of them in a boat, chances are there'll be fine conversation. They could bring a small radio. Maybe, just maybe a swim if the spirit moves em.

Someday, Larry would like to hear about that event if only for the part where her legs are wrapped around him.]

I'm dead certain you'll get a fish before the day is out.

[Now he's getting another idea in his head and Freddy doesn't doubt Larry's got it too. Some time together doing a little 'sport' they once discussed before the truth came out. Fishing, camping, these are things little Freddy Newendyke never truly got to experience. This won't entirely make up for that because no way in hell does Larry come close to being his dad. Nurturing, well that's a different story.]

Sure, a guppy.

[He's grabbing his jacket again and pulling out another pair of boots for the trip.] Okay okay, let's go.

[Lawrence Dimick wants to be many things to Freddy Newendyke, none of them are a parent. Papi, Daddy, those don't sound right. He's seen plenty of parents. There are enough of those. What Freddy is to him, what he means, that's not a one word, one role deal anyway.]

That's a fish. Could be tasty too with the right seasoning. Hey, get a few and you got a platter.

[See the bright side yet? More invisible tail wagging at his approval.]

[Thank God almighty for that even though being his baby is perfectly acceptable, seeing as how the term knows no age.]

If you don't mind bein' on the boat for the rest of the day and night.

[Something tells Freddy the old man really won't mind at all. He gestures for Larry to get a move on first. Get out of the suit too if he wants to...but the kid can't lie. He looks so fucking slick in it he doesn't want to plant the seed of the idea to peel the suit off.]

[Yeah. Freddy is his man, his baby. That's that. No doubt about it from there. God he loves it.]

I don't mind one bit. Part of the experience. You go out to water and you dunno you're done until you're done. [Sans curse influence. Grown men stay in a boat for hours and hours. That's just how it is with fishin'. As for his suit. Larry only removes his tie. He's ready to go, getting his keys.]

[Just watching the old man remove his tie is rather attractive. Before he can get a move on though Freddy reaches out to undo the next button on his shirt. There. God the fabric stretches over his chest nicely.]

Okay.

[He sounds out. They're ready to go...fishing. Look he's far more excited to go out with you at all, Lawrence Dimick, much more so than fishing.]

[His breath catches in his throat when that button comes undone. Larry's gaze locks with Freddy's chin and mouth a few moments too long. For a moment the old man believes he'll keep going. And for a moment he worries the surprise is ruined. No?

That's...fine then too. They're going fishing. That's a joy too. Thankfully the boat is still there. And thankfully there are shops still open. Larry picks out the best pair that he can, freely giving what fisherman know-how he has fresh in his head.

From then on out it is the thrill of the waiting for the hunt on water!]

How often did you do this?

[Freddy asks from his side of the boat, already stretched out to lounge because that's what Freddy Newendykes do. At some point they must have determined who was Huck and who was Jim...Freddy being the former. Fredddy who still hasn't gotten a bite.]

Fishing? [Their boat is sizable enough to accommodate two bodies. The old bear is leaning back, not too far or too much, after all they gotta find a balance in this boat.]

Not much. I'm always heading one place or the other. I try and go at least once a year. Clears my mind.

[His blazer has been folded up and could be used as a pillow for anyone. Glasses on and cigarette between his lips he slowly drags his line. There were a few bites, but he threw them back.]

Yeah fishing.

[What else would he be talking about? Hearing this though the kid can't help but grin. He sits up a little.]

You ever do the winter thing too, on the lake with ice holes? Whatever that's called?

I get just as much of a thrill of choosing how I want the catch of the day to be served. [All smiles here. Big, dopey smiles that Larry feels like he should be some kind of high right now he's so relaxed and satisfied with the world. It's the effects of fishing and Freddy that make the deadly combo.]

Ice fishing. [He shakes his head vehemently.] Fuck no. I pretended I would as a kid. That's a sport for people with a death wish. You'd be stuck squatting in the snow for hours. For that a body can't move around, don't wanna scare the fish.]

Says the guy who rolls around on the ice with a stick and a puck.

[Just saying, Larry, just saying.]

You really think we're gonna catch anything today? I mean knowin' this place what if it's barracudas or somethin'?

[That almost has the kid wanting to suddenly finger the riff to the Wilson sisters.]

Different matter entirely. That sport is hockey. [Even though he is just bullshitting right back, the old man still wags a finger at the kid.]

I already caught a few things. [Not worth keeping in Larry's point of view. At least things in the fish category for the day.]

'A few things.'

[Freddy repeats while gesturing the average size of said few things between his own animated hands. Hey where does that place the kid's rod? Oh yeah, secured against the side of the boat. He's only barely trying but they both know this is less about fishing and more about keeping good company...while treading water for aquatics.]

Alligators don't stop for a bullet.

[Well, that's what he thinks based on stories anyway. Freddy's never had to wrestle one, being California born and bred.]

Next time I catch you pick then. How about that?

[Could be that Freddy's perception of size is how severely skewed or something. Larry waves off his gesturing.

The company is good. And it's damn easy going here on the water. Larry leans a little to turn up the hand radio. CCR is playing.]

Gators don't stop for a bullet because it's a bullet. If you get em in the belly it may take a few shots.

[Say what?]

You shot gators before? [Maybe now's not the time to tell stories about gator pickings, seeing as how one could very well be lurking in these waters. What if it understands English and can talk too?]

[If we're gonna suppose a an alligator comes up out of the water and starts a conversation it may as well sing a mean jazz tenor and play the trumpet or something.]

I knew a guy, [Larry reels in his line slowly, slowly. Nope, nothing. He casts it back out.] his name's Billy he did business in the Everglades. According to him once the lizard starts rushing at you, unload for all you got because that motherfucker won't wanna let you go.

........ [.........]

No shit? You're bullshittin' me.

[The kid starts laughing. A lot. Look it's hard not to at the idea of Larry doing business in Florida with some guy who clearly has experienced rushing gators.]

That's fuckin' somethin' I gotta tell ya.

No shit. [Larry moves his cigarette to the other side of his mouth. Nice to see that someone thinks that this shit is funny. Bama didn't like no gators.]

I didn't see it myself, but the way he was talking about it. [Nods, smiling like an idiot because the kid's loving it so damn much.] The way he was talking it was bigger than that one. [He lifts his cigarette to point at an empty spot behind Freddy's head.]

[He's still laughing as if you couldn't tell, Dimick.]

Oh man that's worse than a fuckin' dog--what?

[Wait what?? Green eyes go wide, so wide you can almost call them doe-eyed. Freddy turns around to look.]

[Oh. He could. Larry is chuckling to himself now for another reason. And for a split second he almost feels guilty. Almost. The moment Freddy's head is turned he gives him a soft backhand to the back of his head.]

[Seeing nothing there he's about to turn back around and scowl at Larry when he feels the thump to the back of his head. Fff.]

Hah hah real funny.

Musta moved away too fast or something.

[Yeah, okay. Okay. He was foolin'. The only negative aspect about this little fishing trip is that they're for the most part out in the open. Because he'd like nothing more than to kiss and make up if Freddy's gonna take it so hard.]

[He points at Larry. The kid's not taking it hard, just taking it like a kid.]

You're really tryin' to rock the boat.

No I'm not.

[Now is a good time to reel in his line a little.]

I just thought I saw a gator. Figured it'd be worth telling you. [Shrug.] So where'd you hear this alligators don't stop for bullets shit?

[Is it from a comic book?]

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